Power and free conveyor system

Abstract

A power and free conveyor system comprising a power track along which carriers are moved by a power conveyor. Each carrier comprises a plurality of substantially identical trolley bodies which are interconnected to one another. Each trolley body includes forwardly and rearwardly directed cantilever portions having open-ended vertical slots therein and guide wheel assemblies having axles disposed vertically in said slots.

I claim: 
     
       1. For use in a power and free conveyor system, the combination comprising a carrier adapted to be moved along a track,   said carrier comprising a plurality of interconnected trolleys,   said trolleys having substantially identical trolley bodies,   each said trolley body having wheels thereon adapted to engage a track,   each said trolley body comprising a one-piece casting having longitudinally spaced transverse axle receiving openings,   substantially identical axles in said openings, and   substantially identical wheels on said axles such that said bodies, axles and wheels are interchangeable, and   means extending between adjacent trolleys pivotally interconnecting said trolleys,   each said trolley body including forwardly and rearwardly directed cantilever portions having openended vertical slots therein extending forwardly and rearwardly respectively,   guide wheel assemblies,   each said guide wheel assembly comprising an axle having upper and lower free ends, a wheel, a roller bearing rotatably mounting said wheel on the upper end of said axle and engaging the upper surface of said respective forwardly and rearwardly directed portion, each said axle being disposed vertically in its respective slot, and a nut threaded on the lower end of said axle,   each said forwardly and rearwardly directed portion including a recessed groove therein adjacent its respective slot which is generally arcuate,   each said guide wheel assembly having a complementary portion thereof engaging said recessed groove and preventing longitudinal movement of said guide wheel assembly with respect to the trolley body when in such engagement such that the guide wheel assembly may be removed from the trolley body at substantially any point along the carrier track without removing said trolley from said carrier track by loosening said nut and moving said guide wheel assembly horizontally to move said axle of said guide wheel assembly through said slot.   
     
     
       2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said recessed groove is on the underside of said respective forwardly and rearwardly directed portion. 
     
     
       3. For use in a power and free conveyor, a trolley comprising a trolley body including forwardly and rearwardly directed cantilever portions having open-ended vertical slots therein extending forwardly and rearwardly, respectively,   guide wheel assemblies,   said trolley body having wheels thereon adapted to engage a track,   each said guide wheel assembly comprising an axle having upper and lower free ends, a wheel, a roller bearing rotatably mounting said wheel on the upper end of said axle and engaging the upper surface of said respective forwardly and rearwardly directed portion, each said axle being disposed vertically in its respective slot, and a nut threaded on the lower end of said axle,   each said forwardly and rearwardly directed portion including a recessed groove therein adjacent its respective slot which is generally arcuate,   each said guide wheel assembly having a complementary portion thereof engaging said recessed groove and preventing longitudinal movement of said guide wheel assembly with respect to the trolley body when in such engagement such that the guide wheel assembly may be removed from the trolley body at substantially any point along the carrier track without removing said trolley from said carrier track by loosening said nut and moving said guide wheel assembly horizontally to move said axle of said guide wheel assembly through said slot.   
     
     
       4. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said recessed groove is on the underside of said respective forwardly and rearwardly directed portion.